Browns' Kenny Pickett: Will have fifth-year option declined
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The Browns aren't expected to pick up Pickett's fifth-year option, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Cleveland traded for Pickett in a deal that sent Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the Eagles in March, but the organization appears unwilling to commit to giving the former Steeler $22.1 million in guaranteed money by picking up his option. That decision may have been influenced in part by the Browns adding two quarterbacks -- Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders -- via the draft, and the team also re-signed veteran Joe Flacco in mid-April. All four are expected to compete for the Browns' starting QB role during training camp, though Deshaun Watson may have a chance of reclaiming that job when he eventually returns from a ruptured Achilles.
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Browns' Kenny Pickett: Team adds two rookies to QB room
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Pickett has been joined in Cleveland's quarterback room by rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, whom the Browns drafted in the third and fifth rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, respectively.
Cleveland's quarterback depth chart now runs five players deep, including Deshaun Watson, who isn't expected to be available for the beginning of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles. After trading for Pickett on March 10, the Browns signed the 40-year-old Joe Flacco on April 11, then drafted Gabriel out of Oregon and Sanders out of Colorado. Sanders was viewed as a likely first-round pick before surprisingly dropping in the draft, so he has more immediate upside than the typical fifth-round draft pick. Pickett may be able to thread the needle and win the starting job as a far younger option than Flacco but one with more experience than Sanders or Gabriel, but even in that scenario, Pickett would likely be on a short leash with no shortage of available alternatives under center.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Capable as backup in 2024
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Pickett completed 25 of 42 pass attempts (60 percent) for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interceptions across five regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also rushed nine times for 15 yards and one touchdown, and he fumbled once.
Almost all of Pickett's offensive snaps came in two appearances, Week 16 and Week 17, when he filled in for a concussed Jalen Hurts before being forced off the field due to a ribs injury of his own. Pickett was cleared in time for the start of Philadelphia's playoff run, ultimately playing a backup role behind Hurts en route to the team's Super Bowl LIX victory. He has one year remaining on his deal with the Eagles and figures to reprise his role as Hurts' backup for the 2025 season.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Clear for playoff opener
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Pickett (ribs) was a limited practice participant Friday but doesn't have a designation for Sunday's wild-card game against the Packers.
Pickett operated with a cap on his reps this week due to the rib injury that he sustained Week 16 at Washington and then aggravated Week 17 versus the Cowboys. He yielded the start under center in the Eagles' regular-season finale against the Giants to Tanner McKee with Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol, but the latter gained clearance from an independent neurologist Friday, ensuring the team's franchise QB will be back this weekend. As a result, Pickett will return to his typical backup role Sunday.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Limited again Thursday
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Pickett (ribs) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Pickett maintained his activity level from Wednesday due to the rib injury that has plagued him since a Week 16 loss in Washington. Meanwhile, No. 1 QB Jalen Hurts practiced fully Thursday, but there's been no word regarding whether he's cleared the concussion protocol. As a result, the situation under center remains unsettled for the Eagles ahead of Sunday's wild-card game against the Packers.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Status in question for Sunday
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Pickett (ribs) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest versus the Giants.
Despite not practicing this week due to a rib injury, Pickett has been given a chance to be available, at the very least, for the Eagles' regular-season finale. With Jalen Hurts (concussion/left finger) out for a second consecutive game, a healthy Pickett likely would be getting the nod under center Week 18, but fellow reserve Tanner McKee relayed to Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia on Friday that he's preparing for his first NFL start. As a result, Pickett may be McKee's direct backup Sunday or even inactive as the emergency third QB behind McKee and Ian Book, assuming Pickett suits up.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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We don't know if Jalen Hurts (concussion), Kenny Pickett (ribs), or Tanner McKee will start against the Giants in Week 18, but Pickett could be a decent flier if he plays, especially if the Eagles play their starters. Keep an eye on what Philadelphia decides to do, but Pickett scored 18 Fantasy points against Dallas before getting injured in Week 17. The Giants have allowed at least 19.3 Fantasy points to two of the past three opposing quarterbacks, so this is a favorable matchup for Philadelphia's starter.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Departs early Sunday
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Pickett exited Sunday's contest against the Cowboys due to a rib injury, EJ Smith of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Pickett came in for Jalen Hurts last Sunday at Washington after the latter suffered a concussion, but the former emerged from that game with a rib issue. While Pickett had some practice limitations this week, he was named the Eagles' Week 17 starting quarterback in place of Hurts, who was ruled out Friday. Pickett was wearing extra protection around his midsection due to the aforementioned injury Sunday, but he took two big hits from Dallas defenders on the first possession of the second half and was unable to finish the drive. Pickett then went to the locker room, yielding QB duties to Tanner McKee.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Starting for Hurts in Week 17
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Pickett will be the Eagles' starting quarterback Sunday against the Cowboys with Jalen Hurts (concussion) ruled out for that contest, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
This comes as no surprise as Hurts hasn't been able to practice since sustaining a concussion in the first quarter this past Sunday in Washington. Pickett stepped in for Hurts thereafter, completing 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception, notching three carries for 13 yards and fumbling once (Philadelphia recovered). On Sunday, Pickett will be taking on a Dallas defense that has given up the third-most combined TDs (23 passing, eight rushing) to opposing quarterbacks in 15 games this season.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Modest numbers in another start
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Pickett completed 11 of 13 passes for 67 yards while adding two rushing attempts for six yards in Thursday's 14-13 preseason win over the Patriots.
Pickett played the entire first half as Jalen Hurts once again got the night off. The former Pittsburgh quarterback was content checking the ball down and led the offense to only three points, though he didn't have top skill players such as A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith or Saquon Barkley at his disposal. Despite having 24 regular-season starts under his belt, Pickett figures to get extensive playing time in the Eagles' Aug. 24 preseason finale against the Vikings as he continues to familiarize himself with his new team's offense.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Unimpressive in preseason opener
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Pickett completed 14 of 22 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in Friday's 16-13 preseason win over the Ravens.
Reporting earlier in the day suggested that Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' first-team offense would get a series at the beginning of the game, but instead Pickett got the start under center and played into the second half. While he did connect with Will Shipley on a seven-yard TD pass on Philadelphia's second possession, Pickett had no success stretching the field and averaged just 4.0 yards per attempt, with his longest completion going for only 10 yards. The former Steeler appears set as Hurts' top backup this season, but he'll only be an emergency or garbage-time option.
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Eagles' Kenny Pickett: Dealt to Eagles
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The Steelers are trading Pickett to the Eagles for a draft pick swap, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
As recently as 10 days ago, multiple Pittsburgh beat reporters said the team preferred to keep Pickett and Mason Rudolph and then let them compete for the starting job. Both are now gone and will be backups for other teams, while the Steelers have Russell Wilson as the lone QB on their offseason roster. The move to Philadelphia might help Pickett's development but also means he'll have no opportunity to compete for the top spot, instead serving as a clear backup to Jalen Hurts. Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick, has two seasons remaining on his rookie contract, plus a fifth-year option for 2026 that's unlikely to be picked up.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: May not get chance to compete
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Pickett won't necessarily have the opportunity to compete with newly signed Russell Wilson for a starting job, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Wilson may be past his prime but nonetheless became a strong favorite for the Week 1 start when his decision to sign with the Steelers was announced Sunday night. GM Omar Khan said a week earlier that he had "full faith" in Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick (20th overall) with more regular-season wins (14) than TD passes (13). A good defense and strong record in one-score games has allowed the Steelers to stick in the playoff hunt the past two years, but Wilson should give the offense some actual upside in what likely will be a run-first system under new coordinator Arthur Smith. Meanwhile, QB Mason Rudolph now seems likely to sign with a new team, leaving Wilson and Pickett as the experienced QBs in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Listed as questionable, won't start
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Pickett (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
While Pickett, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is questionable for the contest, coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Friday that Mason Rudolph will start at quarterback for the Steelers in Week 17. As a result, Pickett could serve in a backup capacity Sunday, but if he's made inactive, Mitch Trubisky would be Pittsburgh's No. 2 QB versus Seattle.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Stays limited in practice
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Pickett (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Though Pickett practiced in a limited fashion for the second day in a row, the Steelers haven't made a decision if he'll be available for Sunday's game against the Seahawks after having missed Pittsburgh's last three games while recovering from a right ankle procedure. If Pickett is cleared to suit up this weekend, he'll likely be serving as the team's No. 2 quarterback, as head coach Mike Tomlin already indicated earlier in the week that Mason Rudolph is being prepped for a second straight start.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Logs limited practice session
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Pickett (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Pickett is gradually working his way back from a Dec. 4 procedure on his right ankle, but at this stage, the Steelers seem to be proceeding as though Mason Rudolph will start Sunday's game against the Seahawks. Added clarity regarding Pickett's status will arrive when Pittsburgh releases its final injury report of the week Friday, but given Rudolph's strong play in this past Saturday's 34-11 win over the Bengals, the Steelers can afford to proceed deliberately with Pickett.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Hurts ankle Sunday
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Pickett left Sunday's game against the Cardinals after suffering a right ankle injury and is questionable to return, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Pickett appeared on the Steelers' Week 13 injury report due to discomfort in the same ankle, but he was a full participant in practice Wednesday through Friday. He appeared to aggravate the injury, however, when he took a shot to the ankle on a play near the goal line in the first half. Prior to his exit from the game, Pickett had completed eight of his 11 pass attempts for 75 yards and logged three carries for three yards. Mitch Trubisky took over at quarterback for Pittsburgh after Pickett headed to the locker room for further evaluation.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: One To Stash (QB Preview)
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If you have QB concerns and an opening at the end of the roster, Kenny Pickett might be worth the space. He's been abysmal so far, but what if at least some of it actually was Matt Canada's fault? Pickett has Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, and a fantastic closing schedule. Let's see how he looks in that first game without Canada.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Plans to play Thursday
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Pickett (ribs) said Tuesday that he intends to play in Thursday's game against the Titans, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Pickett opened Week 9 with a limited listing on Monday's estimated practice report, and he relayed one day later that he did some light throwing in what was yet another walk-through session. He thus appears poised to be listed as a limited participant once again, which will be confirmed when the Steelers post their next injury report later Tuesday.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett: Limited on practice estimate
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Pickett (ribs) was listed as limited on the Steelers' estimated practice report Monday, Teresa Varley of the team's official site reports.
Pickett made an early departure from Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Jaguars due to a hard hit that he endured late in the second quarter. He suffered a rib injury as a result, but even with Pittsburgh preparing to host the Titans on a short week Thursday, coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that "the door is definitively ajar" for Pickett to be available this week. Pickett is considered a "game-time type decision," so his status will be one to monitor closely as Thursday's game draws closer. Mitch Trubisky will be called upon to start if Pickett is unable to suit up.
